22 October 2016

In a weekend that throws up some cracking fixtures in LaLiga one particular gem may have slipped your radar, but it's one you could do a lot worse than tune into at 12.00 local time (11:00 GMT) this Sunday morning; The Galician derby, los portugueses against los turcos; Celta v Deportivo.

Portuguese and Turks?

Well, yes.

The reason why both clubs have ended up being nicknamed as such by fans of the other is somewhat contested, but the most readily accepted explanation is that Celta Vigo's moniker is down to the city's location some 20 minutes drive from the Portuguese border.

Portugal is a nation which the Spanish like to look to in their worst moments to reassure themselves that there's always somebody worse off - so it's something of a slur.

For Depor's part, it's thought that the 'Turk' reference comes via the Ottoman navy's sacking of the city during the 16th century.

It's a testy rivalry, and although the away allocation has been sold out once again there have been many flash points throughout the years.

La Voz de Galicia has reported that rather than the supporters clubs handling the ticketing for travelling fans, it's been left to the club itself this time round.

The game has also been given the highest alert level by police according to the local press, hence the supporters' groups passing the buck on something that is normally very much their jealously-guarded domain.

That said, it would be a great surprise were we to witness anything of the magnitude of the deplorable scenes when the clubs met in a promotion play-off back in the 1980s in Balaidos.

There's also a contrast to the game played at around this stage last season when both sides were flying high - the hosts in currently sit in 12th position and the visitors in 15th.

While Celta rallied after three defeats and a draw in their opening four games with four straight wins before last Sunday's crushing defeat at Villarreal, Deportivo have only won a solitary match since the opening weekend.

Both sides were scoring for fun twelve months ago, and although Celta stuck four past Barcelona in their last home outing, they've only managed five in their other seven matches.

Depor's record is even worse with neither of the newly arrived pair of Florin Andone and Copa Libertadores winner - and player of the tournament - Marlos Moreno finding the net in a campaign where they've netted just five in total to date.

Of course, it was always going to be hard replacing Lucas Perez's threat up front in any event, the local lad departing for Arsenal late in the summer window.

Gaizka Garitano, the miracle-working former Eibar boss has been criticised for his side's lack of an attacking strategy but to his credit, he's run a tight ship at the other end and despite being hit for four at Camp Nou last week they've conceded the joint fewest goals in the bottom half of the table; indeed two fewer than third-placed Sevilla.

They make the journey south without captain and defensive lynchpin Sidnei, who's agreed a new deal in principle with the club this week, and they also are without regular starter Juanfran.

Celta signalled their priorities by resting a whole raft of players for Thursday's Europa League clash with Ajax.

They had to come behind twice against the Dutch side, with Fabian Orellana coming off the bench to strike a stunning equaliser late on in a game where they possibly edged the play overall.

The familiar defensive shortcomings were there to see as both the Amsterdam side's goals could well have been avoided, Facundo Roncaglia in particular guilty of standing off his man for the second.

Iago Aspas, a Vigo native who's no stranger to controversy in this fixture - his foolish sending off in April 2013 at Riazor looked to doom Celta and keep Depor up - stoked the flames on Friday.

"You've got to say we're the favourites," he said to gathered media.

He also intimated that their league position, and the fact that Celta have had to rotate as they fight on two fronts proves they are the better side.

"I expect it to be an intense game and they'll probably sit back once more, in recent years they've struggled to get on the ball against us," he concluded.

His words were put to Depor full-back Fernando Navarro, who refused to be drawn on the matter.

"Well if he thinks they're favourites, that's his business," he huffed.

Navarro did note that Depor have suffered from refereeing decisions this term too.

"Maybe our luck will change this weekend and we'll start being treated like other sides have been treated against us."

Alvaro Negredo will not be a Valencia player much longer after he was omitted from the travelling group for their training camp in the Netherlands to complete his move to newly-promoted Premier League side Middlesbrough.

The former Sevilla and Manchester City striker has agreed to terms with the club managed by Aitor Karanka and is now due to travel to the Northeast of England to undergo a medical.

After a decent opening season, the forward has found himself surplus to requirements at Mestalla and the club are satisfied with Boro's 6 million euro offer.

Also not travelling with the squad is the Argentine Rodrigo De Paul who, having spent the second half of last season on loan to Racing Club back home, does not figure in coach Pako Ayestaran's plans for the coming season.

In a new book called 'The Greatest Coaches in History' published by UEFA, the former Spain and Real Madrid boss Vicente Del Bosque is profiled in the final chapter.

The chapter notes his ability to bring the best out of exceptional talents to mould them into exceptional teams, and includes glowing words from several players who've played under the recently departed Spain manager.

Steve McManaman, who won two Champions Leagues under his tutelage at Real, said that there should be statues in his honour in every town in Spain.

"We reached seventh heaven on July 12 2010," said Iker Casillas, referring to the World Cup final in South Africa.

"He was equally calm in the difficult times and the moments of glory, he helped all the players and the fans.”

Xavi also spoke about the man behind the public persona.

"He's the most human person I've ever come across in a dressing room and the world of football.”

The Brazilian Ronaldo only played a single year under him, but was no less effusive in his praise.

"I think he's the coach who understood me the best," he said.

"All the players loved him because he did what needed to be done with the least amount of fuss."

From the moment Euro 2016 came to an end, Real Madrid have been working hard to make Valencia's Andre Gomes a Blancos player.

Los Che had been hoping to hold for a transfer fee of around €65 million but the Champions League holders hope to tie up the midfielder for closer to €50m up front with around €5-€10m in performance related extras.

Injuries hampered Gomes' progress last season but the midfielder is nonetheless on the radar of many top clubs, including Juventus, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Chelsea.

He is considered by both the coach Zinedine Zidane and club chiefs to be the perfect alternative to Luka Modric, who the club have struggled to replace when absent in the past and - with the Croat due to turn 31 soon - his long-term heir in the starting XI.

Indeed, Madrid tried to secure the player last summer but were bluntly dismissed when Valencia's response was that no discussions would take place until an offer of €80m was on the table.

Their financial situation is somewhat more precarious now given that Los Che are currently out of European football, but still have to keep in mind financial fair play restrictions as their primary aim is a return to continental competition.

Furthermore, the player is thought to be keen to move up in the world, both in terms of sport and finance, which Valencia are unable to satisfy at present.

Real hope that the relationship between the two clubs - with Valencia owner Peter Lim and Blancos president Florentino Perez both on good terms - will help smooth the passage of any deal to bring the midfielder to the Spanish capital this summer.

17 July 2016

Making sure not to forget the debt of gratitude he owes to his former employers Lyon, Samuel Umtiti has published a letter to thank everyone back at the French club.

Barcelona have signed the Frenchman who spent 14 years with Les Gones.

"At the age of 22 and for the first time in my life, it's time for me to say goodbye," he wrote on Twitter. "What does that mean? We normally say goodbye when we take a break from something, but that is not the case here.

"I'm not turning my back on Lyon, erasing 14 years of my life, nor am I turning my back on my home; I'm taking all that with me. Lyon is a feeling, it's humility, it's hard work... It's my family.

"I might be moving away geographically but I will never be gone. I'm like that son going out into the world to make his dreams come true, but always in the hope of returning home some day.

"I have so much gratitude and I don't want this message to appear to be a mere platitude. I want to express this gratitude with dedication and sincerity.

"I want to thank Regis Molouba for believing in me. Thanks to Cyril Dolce, Armand Garrido, and Bruno Genesio for helping me through the ranks. Thanks to Remi Garde for giving me my first break in the senior team, all of these people have helped me throughout my career at Olympique.

"My thanks also to Jean-Michel Aulas, who has trusted me and always pushed me to go forward.

"Thanks to everyone who helped me succeed. The coaches, staff and administrators. I would like to thank all the players I worked with at Lyon, with whom I shared the pleasures of hard work and victory. Also CARRE 5, my agents, who have always been there for me.

"I will never forget the fans of Lyon and their encouragement at the Gerland, and off the field too.

"And finally, thanks to my mother, who has been my biggest supporter. Thanks to you, I learned how to become a professional footballer.

World Cup winner fears Albiceleste will fail to qualify for Russia 2018

Argentina's 1978 World Cup winning coach Cesar Luis Menotti has never been one to mince his words and the 77-year-old believes his countrymen face an uphill task to even qualify for the next World Cup.

Major problems within the Argentine Football Federation are said to be a major contributor to Lionel Messi's premature retirement from international football.

"There are only five teams going from South America and without Lionel Messi [Argentina] run the risk of missing out," Menotti told La Nacion.

"Maybe we need to start preparing for Qatar in 2022.

"Argentina have had to parachute in Julio Olarticoechea to take charge of the Olympic team next month following Gerardo Martino's resignation, and Menotti was strident in his defence of the former Barcelona and Paraguay boss.

"I wouldn't give [Martino] any rubbish for quitting," said the ex-coach, "he and his staff weren't paid for months, so no wonder he went crazy!”

"He was right to go.”

The veteran also discounted the possibility of Marcelo Bielsa returning to take the helm after his move to Lazio collapsed last week.

"There was some speculation that [the Lazio job] fell apart because he wanted to come back here, but that happened because Lazio went back on their promises," stated Menotti.

"I don't think he's interested in the job.”

Diego Maradona has been a strong advocate for change in Argentina, although Menotti is less keen on the former attacker's outspoken outbursts.

"I don't really like to see this sort of thing," said the Rosario-native.

"I had to put up with guys like this too who I didn't like to listen to, like Diego Passarella and Americo Gallego."